Hey Friends!

Welcome to the blog!

I'm Sara Johnson, a free-spirited, travel seeking, Birkenstock wearing Wedding and Senior Portrait Photographer based in Rockford, IL! I'm also addicted to Mid Century Modern design, the host of the Living For It Podcast  and am a strong believer in creating something bigger than myself. 

>>>><<<< Dan + Breah I raved about Breah + Dan in their engagement photo blog post, so since y’all are so familiar with their awesomeness, I’ll skip that part and head straight to the wedding festivities! Spoiler alert: this was one heck of a way to send off my 2019 wedding season… Breah + Dan’s […]

Dan + Breah | Rockford, Illinois Wedding Photographer

Rainy, urban, rooftop October wedding in downtown Rockford, IL at The Standard with London Avenue, blue suede wedding heels, and a wild flower bouquet - Sara Anne Johnson - Photographer

December 13, 2019

>>>><<<< Summer + Dan This fall’s trend was DEFINITELY gorgeous gardens, because for Summer + Dan, I headed back to Cantigny Park in Wheaton to soak up every last drop of their gorgeous fall foliage! This place makes my job easy, and I’m so thankful for couples who love to take a leap of faith […]

Summer + Dan | Wheaton, Illinois Engagement Session

Cozy, sunset, Fall engagement session with a gorgeous grey diamond at beautiful Cantigny Park in Wheaton, IL by Sara Anne Johnson - Photographer

November 28, 2019

>>>><<<< Samantha + Ted This time of year is full of high school senior sessions, engagement sessions, and weddings, with the stunning fall leaves in full swing and the crisp light breeze in the air… it is the perfect time of year for photo sessions! And this year did NOT disappoint! With Thanksgiving tomorrow, I […]

Samantha + Ted | Rockford, Illinois Engagement Session

Fall, sunset engagement session with emerald green velvet dress and blue sapphire engagement ring at Anderson Japanese Gardens in Rockford, IL by Sara Anne Johnson - Photographer

November 28, 2019

>>>><<<< Kate Where to begin with this girl!!!! So Kate might have been the most full-of-life, happy-go-lucky senior that I have photographed to date! This beauty had NO trouble laughing for the camera… what a natural! She was up for anything and mastered every single pose I threw at her… oh, and her fashion sense […]

Kate | Rockford, Illinois Senior Portrait Photographer

Class of 2020 Guilford High School Senior, Kate, downtown Rockford Senior portraits by Sara Anne Johnson, Sara Johnson Photography

November 28, 2019

>>>><<<< Emily + Aaron Let me just start by saying that I’ve had the pleasure of knowing Emily for a few years now… she’s one of my amazing bank tellers and I see her almost every week! We have chatted about my business and everything photo related every single time that I drive through her […]

Emily + Aaron | Rockford, Illinois Engagement Session

Fall, sunset engagement session with tons of autumn color at Anderson Japanese Gardens in Rockford, IL by Sara Anne Johnson - Photographer

November 28, 2019

>>>><<<< Jessica + Trent So THIS girl, reached out to me way back in 2018 for her wedding in 2020 and the second that we met, I knew I HAD to work with her! The fact that she reached out to me so long before her wedding made me feel so honored that she could […]

Jessica + Trent | Wheaton, Illinois Engagement Session

Cozy, sunset, Fall engagement session at Cantigny Park in Wheaton, IL by Sara Anne Johnson

November 28, 2019

>>>><<<< Ryne + Anna The weather for Ryne + Anna’s wedding was BEYOND perfection. What more could you ask for on a September day?! Bright sun, a cool breeze, and nothing but love (cheezy, I know, but I can’t help myself)… it was the absolute perfect day for a wedding and I couldn’t be happier […]

Ryne + Anna | Rockford, Illinois Wedding Photographer

Romantic champagne blush and navy September wedding at Rockford Bank and Trust Pavilion in Rockford Il photographed by Sara Anne Johnson

October 22, 2019

>>>><<<< Dylan + Callie If I’m being honest, I had been waiting for Callie’s wedding for quite some time. Our friendship goes back a few years now and I was so honored to be a part of her planning process… mountain climbing process (see engagement session)… and finally her wedding day. I didn’t know Dylan […]

Dylan + Callie | Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin Wedding Photographer

Wisconsin Dells Summer wedding with deep burgundy flowers and dusty blue bridesmaid dresses at Glacier Canyon by Sara Anne Johnson. Sara Johnson Photography

September 27, 2019

>>>><<<< Adrian + Kiryn It’s no secret that I love to photograph weddings. The thrill and excitement of the day… the unveiling of the bride in her dress… the look on the groom’s face as he watches his bride walk down the aisle towards him… the moment when the couple is pronounced “husband + wife”… […]

Adrian + Kiryn | Rockford, Illinois Wedding Photographer

Private, intimate Northern Illinois elopement style wedding in the woods with vintage rental furniture, The Noble Cakery, and a blush wedding gown - by Sara Anne Johnson. Sara Johnson Photography

September 23, 2019

>>>><<<< Callie + Dylan I’m saving the mushy-gushy amazing stuff for the wedding blog, so you’ve been warned, but I’ve known Callie for YEARS now so being chosen as her wedding photographer was an absolute honor… it means so much to me when I develop strong friendships with fellow wedding vendors, strong enough to photograph […]

Callie + Dylan | Devils Lake, Wisconsin Engagement Session

Cliffside Devils Lake State Park summer engagement session with Callie + Dylan by Sara Anne Johnson - Photographer

September 17, 2019